Earth History

What evidence would a scientist use to determine the age of rock in a layer?

• index fossils
• living fossils
• resin fossils
• trace fossils
  

What is the most logical conclusion about a layer of rock near the top of a canyon?

• The layers near the top are older than layers below.
• The layers near the top are younger than layers below.
• The top layer will have more fossils than layers below.
• The top layer will have less fossils than layers below.
  

The diagram shows rock layers taken from two different locations that may be far apart from each other.What can be concluded based on the diagram?

• Location 1 has terrestrial fossils, and Location 2 has aquatic fossils.
• The layers in Location 1 are much older than the layers in Location 2.
• The layers in Location 1 are younger than the layers in Location 2.
• Layers from both locations with similar fossils are about the same age.
  

The diagram shows a section of land that has been undisturbed and includes a fossil.What can be concluded about the fossil?

• It is younger than the limestone.
• It is older than the shale.
• It is approximately the same age as the limestone.
• It is approximately the same age as the sandstone.
  

The diagram shows layers of rock that have been disturbed.Which layer of rock is the oldest?

• Layer A because other layers were formed in it.
• Layer B because it is under layers C and D.
• Layer D because it is the least eroded.
• Layer F because it is on the top.
  

Which statement can be best supported by the fossil record?

• Most of the organisms on Earth have not changed over time.
• Most life forms that existed on Earth are now extinct.
• Humans and dinosaurs have existed on Earth at the same time.
• Human have lived on Earth for most of geologic history.
  

The image shows fossils found in a section of sedimentary rock.In which layer are the oldest fossils found?

• Layer A
• Layer B
  
• Layer C
• Layer D
  

Which condition best supports fossil formation?

• A dead organism is eaten by scavengers and shredded.
• A dead organism is slowly decomposed by bacteria and insects.
• A dead organism is washed away in a flood and buried under rocks.
• A dead organism is quickly buried under mud and sand.
  

Geologists studied fossils taken from the top of a mountain. The chart lists several fossils taken from this location as well as their original habitat.What can be concluded based on the fossil evidence?

• The mountain climate was once much warmer than it is today.
• The mountain climate was once much colder than it is today.
• The mountain was covered by water at some point in the past.
• The elevation in the area was much higher at some point in the past.
  

Which explanation best describes why tropical plant fossils have been found on islands in the Arctic Ocean?

• Birds and insects carried seeds to the island.
• Seeds of plants have been carried by ocean currents.
• The island drifted from a tropical region to its present location.
• Spores of the plants were carried by air currents to the island.